Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, technology allows users to make phone calls over an Internet connection, subverting traditional telephone service. Several providers offer VoIP service, most notably Skype, which had more than 36 million concurrent users in early 2012. Skype allows phone calls to domestic and international cell phones and land lines and automatically enters the country code for the number you are dialing before you enter the area code, prefix and phone number. The default country code is the one assigned to the country you entered when you registered with Skype, but you can remove the default country code by changing it through the user interface.

Launch Skype and click “Call phones.” A dial pad will appear in the "Call Phones" window.

Click the flag icon to open the drop-down menu. The drop-down menu contains a list of countries accessible with Skype VoIP service.

Select the country you will dial to from the drop-down menu and click it. The country code will display alongside the flag that represents the country you will call.

Enter the area code, prefix and phone number of the phone you will call in the dial pad field. You can also click the buttons on the onscreen dial pad to enter the number. Click the green telephone icon to dial the number with the new country code.

About the Author

A.J. Andrews' work has appeared in Food and Wine, Fricote and "BBC Good Food." He lives in Europe where he bakes with wild yeast, milks goats for cheese and prepares for the Court of Master Sommeliers level II exam. Andrews received formal training at Le Cordon Bleu.